Summer Wrap Up and August Review

The summer flew by, faster than ever before.  I don't think I did much relaxing or vacationing or pool side sitting.  I also didn't do my typical summer curriculum for the kids.  So what did I do, I think I really just played chauffer to my kids and all of their activities. But Isabella did get her braces off in there, Issac and Kody still had plenty of time to play in the back yard with the neighbors and I got a nap or two.  It was a time warp summer.

This summer we did "summer swim team" that took quite a bit of time and commitment. Also with the kids getting older they each were gone for a week or so with church activities.  Isabella had girls' camp and youth conference, Wyatt had Scout camp, and the two younger boys went to Cub Day Camp, but it lasted a whole week.  So right there is 5 weeks of crazy.  Add in tons of things to prepare for and carry out the Philadelphia Temple Open House, Dedication and Cultural Celebration.  Then we added Band Camp and athletic training for Cross Country and Soccer.  Throw in two weeks to Texas, one to the Beach, and one week of family (William and Lacey and kids) being in town and boom summer is gone.

Born to Be at the Beach

From as far back as I can remember the first week of every August was spent at the beach.  My mom told me from a young age that the only time they missed was the year I was born.  You see, my birthday falls on July 27th, and she just wasn't feeling up to a beach trip less than a week later.  What a slacker she was :)

Now take that and add my adolescence of my mom's best friend having a beach house in the Outer Banks.  So a couple more trips each year.  And last add the fact that once my friends and I got our licenses, we would jam down to the beach any spare day we could throughout the summer.  You see we live within three hours of at least 10 beaches.  It's sort of awesome.

Skip ahead modern day.  Imagine the first family vacation I started instilling in my kids.  Yeah it's the beach.  And even with my ever changing kid ratios, notice who jams down to the beach any free day throughout the summer and any time a friend or family member comes to visit.

You see, I need a beach house.  My own.  I keep telling Travis and he keeps saying not yet.  Maybe you should try and convince him.  Until then...I'll just enjoy the memories of quick trips and occasional vacations.

In All Seriousness,

Can life please stop and slow down for a moment?  It's going way to fast.  For the sake of recording here is the rest of the summer that was never mentioned...or maybe it was, I don't remember!

In no particular order...

Training for a half marathon - imagine my physique improved too

Going to corn mazes

Laying in rope spider webs

Taking tractor rides

Making beach day trips

Acquiring lots of blisters

Even blood blisters

Going out west, Utah

Participating in the library's summer reading program

Having roller-skating parties

More beach shenanigans - Love The Beach!!!

Visiting our Alma Maters

Attending the G. Whiting family reunion in Yellowstone

Hiking, biking, climbing and lots of outdoor fun

Look at those Whiting men!